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“All bad runs do come to an end and it was just a case of making sure the players stuck together, kept working hard and believed they could turn it around sooner rather than later.

“We made a few additions in Martin Conway, Jake Newman, Ben Jackson and Ty Ward which gave everyone a bit of a lift, and results have been better for it.

“We’re nine points above the relegation zone, and as long as we maintain that gap I’ll be a happy manager. It’s not worth comparing to last season as we knew then that only one team would be going down and we made a lot of decisions based on that.

“It’s now a different group of players, a different mentality and different objectives and targets, and at the moment, the players are meeting them.

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"We've got Ben Hood back, and when Ollie Snaith comes back from suspension we've got a good squad of 19. If we keep everyone fit and fighting for places, who knows where we’ll finish.”

Saints were unlucky not to grab all three points at the death against Royston when Danny Kelly twice went agonisingly close, and Marheineke was philosophical after the game:

“We finished the game stronger and looked the most likely to score, so it’s a little frustrating we didn’t take the three points, but not too down as we put in a god performance.

“The boys are in there disappointed, and if you’re disappointed taking a point off Royston then it’s a good performance. Although the scoreline was 0-0 I though it was a thoroughly entertaining game and a proper battle, and I certainly enjoyed watching it.”

Football action from the Boxing Day clash between St Ives and Royston Town. St Ives Jake Newman is under pressure from Royston' Spyros Mentis and Dan Brathwaite. Picture: Keith Jones